2009 Chevy Impala RWD

Comments

I have no doubt Chevy can get the product right, it's the timing I'm worried about. Hard to predict the future, but I sure hope gas prices don't continue to rise at their current rate between now and the arrival of the RWD Impala.

Chevy is on a roll right now. Silverado is doing very well, the Impala breaking sales records. I would believe the Cobalt will be the next for a major update.

I was hoping the RWD Impala would come out when the Camaro does, but not to be. I am sure somewhere in the future (and I ain't gettn' any younger) there will be a RWD Impala in my future. I have always driven chevys and I follow their racing programs. For a company that has had some serious finacial mountains to climb they are doing very well in todays tough competitive world.

I thought we would see a new Camaro and Impala within a year or two. As for the Cobalt, it looked dated when released. Either do a major change to the Cobalt, and the gas miles improvements needed, or scrap the smaller car line under $20K. There are a couple new cars, like the Malibu/Aura/G6, or which the Malibu mayb end up being the winner, and then there is the Solstice/Sky, which could use some refinement/changes. Seems the SUV and truck lines are the emphisis still and they seem to sell. If gas goes to $4 or $5 a gallon, who knows -- maybe still sell. As long as the US economy holds. I would not bank on that one. In cars, the new Astra seems to be in a good place, with lower price - higher gas mileage. The CTS may be a hit. Anyone seen one in the steel? Photos look OK, but I do hope they do not kill the Arts & Science quirky look. It was one of the things that makes the car what it is - unique.The STS, as a stretched and rounded CTS is sure blahhh.

The redo for make-up on the old Impala was a sucess, and looks pretty good. Seems to help it look lower, and wider and offers some chrome, which has been absent for years.Doubt it is going to be enough to last another three years. What happened to the New Impala? Another Camry will be introduced by the time the Impala is released. Heck, the Jetson's cars may be on the road (in air) by then Come on get with it General.Loren

The Solstice and Sky both lack a roll bar for safety. The Solstice has too short and most uncomfortable an armrest one could imagine on a car with rather high door window sills. This means you may actually need an armrest on the door side. Well the cut-out doesn't go back far enough and it is wrong angled. The top is not so attractive and whole system less than tops in class. My guess is that it got off to the market place before completion. As for it competing for road performance and overall quality, that is debatable. In the looks department, it is job well done, except for the top.

And no, the Camry doesn't need to be reworked, though the odd bump on the nose could be removed, unless it has some purpose for sound / wind noise or gas mileage - who knows. Second thought, lose the bump on nose at any cost. Overall, the Camry is pretty neat looking car, all the way to its Bangle butt. The interior is not up to Toyota's best efforts to date. Could be upgraded, along with taking the sore nose off. Otherwise, it is thoroughly modern - an up to date car, with great gas mileage and HP.Loren

You can't scrap the car lines under $20,000 (but I am sure GM wish they could). GM makes next to nothing on the smaller car lines. They make these cars only because they need them to balance the CAFE numbers otherwise a hefty gas tax would be on the larger cars.

Trucks are GMs financial strength. They make a ton on each loaded pickup/large SUV they sell. Silverado will sell over 700,000 units this model year.

Example smaller car lines. Latest information is that Saturn up until 2006 figures has never made a profit for GM.

Hey I was shopping today for a new Impala and the Chevy dealer told me a new version is coming out in the next 6 months. He claims it will be bigger than the current Impala, but will still be FWD and have 3.5 and 3.9 liter engine options. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

While I've got 152,000 on my 02 Impala, I'm going to keep driving for a while to see if a new ones coming. I don't like the current Impala as well as my old one. Less leg room in back and poor rear window vision and mirrors relative to my version.

He could be referring to the new Malibu, though they're supposed to come with a 2.4 (4-cylinder) and 3.6 (V6).

I guess it's possible they could be doing a "refresh" on the current Impala (since the 3.5 and 3.9 are available now, and it's due to be replaced by the RWD version in a couple of years), but I haven't seen any "spy photos" posted anywhere about that. But even if that's the case the changes would likely be cosmetic at best, and probably limited to the extreme front/rear of the car (and possibly some interior tweaks).

But either way I wouldn't think there's a "new" version of the Impala coming in the next 6 months.

GM is making a BIG mistake if they go RWD only. Either have an affordable AWD option, or surrender your family-sedan market share to the imports.

Why? I'm in the Rust Belt. RWD stinks in snow and ice! No fancy talk about differential locks, weighting down the trunk, and "snow tires" will redeem it. Besides who wants to do such baby sitting? It's not 1947 anymore.

People [non-permissible content removed] that you need RWD for performance. On a FAMILY SEDAN?? Whatever. If you wanna burn your tires on a Saturday night get a sports car.

GM should be going all-out on getting the Chevy Volt to market instead.

The 2008 Impala is already posted on Chevy's website and it is the same as the 06-07 except for some changes to the trimlines and options and prices. I can't imagine Chevy would do a 2008 run and then make changes within 6 months. It can take longer than that to retool the plant for such changes, and the current Impala is selling very well for Chevy.

I recall reading at another site somewhere that the New Impala will be released in calendar year 2010 as a 2011 Model Year vehicle. That means 3 more years with the current style. Not sure if what I read is actally true, however.

We don't yet know if AWD won't be available. I would think it is a strong possibility. BUT, let's say its not. Chevy has plenty of FWD cars in the stable to choose from. They NEED a RWD sedan! They are losing in the family sedan wars BECAUSE they are always trying to beat Honda/Toyota at their game. You need to offer something they don't. That's RWD. The Chrylser 300 has been successful beyond anyone's dreams. Chevy's only problem with offering a large RWD sedan is that they waited so damned long!

By the way, you aren't alone up here in the snow belt, and I have NO worries about driving a car like this in the snow. There is no doubt my FWD cars have been great in the snow, but I also spent the first several years of my driving life with nothing but RWD trucks. Care needs to be taken in foul weather no matter what you are driving. People always manage to wreck in bad weather, and I've noticed that these people have ALL TYPES of drivetrains. AWD, RWD, FWD doesn't matter if you are a careless driver.

I am not the person you responded to, but just wanted to add some comments.

I agree with you that RWD can work just as well in the snow as FWD. I drove my '99 Camaro in some pretty heavy unplowed snow and had no issues. It is all about HOW you drive, not necessarily what you are driving. RWD with good all-season or winter tires and driven sensibly will be just as good as FWD or AWD with good all-season or winter tires.

When I was shopping for my new car last year, it came down to the '06 Impala, the '06 Dodge Charger SE V6, or a '06 Chrysler 300 Base 2.7L V6. I went with the Impala, as it had a more comfortable interior, better fuel economy, and a slightly better quality reputation.

If Chevy goes RWD on the next Impala, I hope they offer the new direct injection V6 that Cadillac is using in 2008. It has V8 power, with slightly better than V8 fuel economy. Initial reviews are very positive.

I would also like to see Chevy upgrade their interiors with better materials and tighter tolerances. If Hyundai can offer interiors like they do in the Sonata and Azera for mid-$20K's there is NO REASON that Chevy can't do the same.

So, offer me a $25K RWD Impala with the 300+ horsepower direct injection V6, a well put together interior with CLOTH bucket seats, OnStar, ABS/Trac, 6 airbags, power everything, 17" alloys (NO Goodyear tires, please!), and dual exhaust...I will buy! I could probably live without the direct injection V6, but the V6 they use should have at least 265hp. If the V6 model is not available for $25K or less, then I WILL go elsewhere (unless the new Malibu is really as good as they say it will be).

Pontiac will be selling a V6 version of the upcoming RWD G8. That is another possible alternative, although probably not as roomy as the Impala will be.

I think the price is a bit optimistic as well and maybe the Malibu is more your speed. But, everything else I agree with. RWD is no problem in the snow. Modern tires erase the problems of old and FWD doesn't always equate to a better handling vehicle. I have driven terrible FWD vehicles in the snow...due to terrible tires...and once the front wheels let go...you have NO control AT ALL. At least with RWD, you can still STEER. I'll be test driving the G8 when it gets here in anticipation of the new Impala and just in case the new RWD Impala doesn't make it. Either way, I'm really anxious to see both.

The '08 Impala 2LT now comes with the 3.9L, 233hp V6, and starts at $25,225. Discounts and incentives will get you below $25K. It has everything I would be looking for in a RWD Impala as standard (ABS/Trac, stability control, power options, etc.) If they can build it now for $25K, they should be able to do it with the RWD, as rear wheel drive vehicles tend to cost a little less to manufacture (the RWD drivetrains are less complicated).

Granted car prices creep up every year, but a Chevrolet Impala will never have the same cachet as a Chrysler 300. The fleet/rental stigma will be too hard to erase out of people's minds. If they try to sell even a mid-level V6 RWD Impala at a starting price of $29K they deserve to have a tough time. Especially when I could go down the street and get a Dodge Charger SXT, with the 3.5L V6 and the side airbag option, for $25K (provided Chrysler is still around in 3 years).

The new Hyundai RWD sedan will also be one to watch when it shows up in a year or so. Although it is being pegged as a luxury model, it would not surprise me to see Hyundai throw a more modest V6 version into the mix to try and increase potential buyers.

Ok, if you go on the Chevy website and read on the 2008 Malibu... Side Curtain Airbags are STANDARD so when the Impala is released Chevy is putting Side Curtain Airbags in that standard also; which neither the Dodge nor Ford corporations offer. GM will be the first American auto company to offer Side Curtain Airbags standard on all vehicles by 2010... cool huh

you're full of it.... One of the reasons Chevy will be turning out a RWD Impala is remember the 92-95 Caprice that car was the # 1 selling car for 2 years, thanks to Taxi companies and The Highway Patrol... Also Ford lost their contract with the Highway Patrol when they stopped making Crown Vic's. Which now Dodge has picked up the contract for the nex 3 years with the RWD Charger... Chevy lost that contract when they made a FWD Impala... Ford wont get that contract back cause their RWD 08 Taurus is only offered as a V-6... Think about the sales Chevy can make with the RWD Impala esp. since its got a better rap then Dodge remember all the transmission troubles of Dodges that has never changed... I agree with the other RWD fans its all about the tires and the person behind the wheel... If the RWD Impala isnt for you try the 08 FWD V-6 Malibu

as rear wheel drive vehicles tend to cost a little less to manufacture

Not true. Look up the history of FWD. The entire reason for its existence is lower cost.

Sorry. I was getting my assembly vs. service costs mixed up. RWD is easier, and typically less expensive, to maintain.

Especially when I could go down the street and get a Dodge Charger SXT, with the 3.5L V6 and the side airbag option, for $25K (provided Chrysler is still around in 3 years).

Ok. No problem. We can compare to a Charger. But an SXT is $26,360. With side airbags, its $26,950.

Street prices are a completely different ballgame and not what we are talking about here. I have NO idea (and neither do you) what a RWD Impala would sell for after negotiating.

By the way, I'm anticipating the base Impala will have the high-feature 3.6, so it should outpower Chrysler's 3.5.

No one should pay sticker price for a car, and no one is paying sticker price for Chargers or Impalas for that matter. I am not insinuating that I know what a RWD Impala will list for sticker OR sell for after negotiating. I am merely commenting that the price I would be willing to pay may need to include some negotiating/discounting. No need to attack people.

Incidentally, when the Charger first came out as an '06 model, Dodge was selling the base SE model with the 3.5L engine with a base price of $23K. With power seat and airbags, the price barely hit $25K. Dealers were offering to sell a $25K Charger SE for $23K even at initial release. Unfortunately it looks like you need to go with an SXT to get the 3.5L now.

FWIW, all of our comments about a RWD Impala at this point are speculation.

I agree with this to a point but you also must remember that if GM refreshens a car to quickly it won't last long enough and they won't see profits come from it as they could. Every five to six years is good for one style seven at the max with minor refreshening in between. Look at the chevy lumina 1995-2001 chevy impala 2000-2005 and now 2006-2009 or 10 for the current style impala. I think GM is on the right track by redesigning the malibu for 2008 by making it almost the size of the current impala and then redesigning the impala for 2010 to rear drive

Yeah you do have a point here, but only thing is that the 2008 malibu has grown in size to that of almost the current impala. For GM to have three sedans such as the malibu, impala and caprice would not be smart. GM was in serious financial difficulty and still is to some extend because it had too many models that did the same job as the next for example, Buick in 2005 had the century, regal, la sabre, and park avenue. They've cut that down for 2007 to the La Cross and Lucerne. I think chevy only needs a camry/accord fighter which would be the malibu and a full size rear drive impala or caprice.

The dealer probably was talking about the new 2008 malibu which is all new from the ground up, this might be why your dealer thought this was the new impala. That car is on sale sometime in the fall but as for the impala it won't get a refreshener for at least two or three years. If you're looking for a full size sedan i'd wait till the 2010 impala comes out. Rear drive is the way GM is going and it's already starting with pontiac's new G8 which is going on sale this winter. :shades:

RWD does just fine in winter weather if you have good tires adn a limited slip differential. I grew up in St. Louis, then lived in DC for three years before moving to California. My 1970 AMX and 1979 Trans AM, for example, were no problem in the winter. I always got a good laugh out of the RWD cars without limited slip differentials - one tire spinning and the car going nowhere. I even saw a driver blow up his one spinning tire on 40/61 in St. Louis.

I moved away from DC in 1989, so know that tires and cars have improved greatly since then, meaning that the siuuation should be even better now than when I was driving in the winter weather.

This information on the RWD Impala is either from an old issue of Motor Trend, or its old news. In response to the new 35 MPG fuel economy legislation, GM's plans to replace certain FWD platforms with RWD ones, including the Impala, is on hold and under review.

GM does have plans to introduce a RWD competitor to the BMW 3-Series for the 2011 model year, however. The platform is called Alpha, and the car will be a smaller-than-CTS Cadillac. It'll be produced at GM's Lordstown, Ohio assembly plan. There may also be a Pontiac version of the Alpha, but that hasn't been confirmed. I consider this exciting news because, if the accolades that the new CTS has gotten are an indication, GM now has the ability to design and produce a worthy competitor to the 3-Series and Infiniti G35. Too bad the Alpha(s) won't be '09 models.

This statement is evidence that Motor Trend is more interested in selling magazines, even if it means featuring a model that has little chance of making it into production, than of writing about what is probable. The editors of MT know that the chances for a RWD Impala for 2010 were greatly diminished by the "35 mpg by 2020 law." They'd be excused if the issue in which this Impala is last mentionedwas published before the new CAFE law was passed. In which issue did that article appear?

If you want a RWD Chevy you'll have two choices, a two seater Corvette or a four seater Camaro.